Beloved mom, wife, sister, and grandmother Roberta Kau’i (McFarlane) Wong, 78, passed away early Wednesday morning, August 18, at home in Honolulu. She was born in Hilo and known affectionately as “Bobbie” to numerous friends and family. Roberta’s memories of growing up on Pu’ueo Street in Hilo amidst a large and loving family would sustain her for a lifetime. She often would often travel up the Hamakua coastline by train. One fateful day in 1946, she left home for school and on her way, discovered that a tsunami had washed away much of lower downtown Hilo. After moving to Honolulu, Roberta graduated from Sacred Hearts Academy and the University of Hawaii Manoa where she worked her way through college as a Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant and won pageant titles with her captivating smile. As a professional educator, she taught at Waikiki, August Irons, and Sultan School for Handicapped Children.

In 1958, Roberta married Denis Wong and retired from professional life to raise her children. She continued to serve the community with activities in many organizations including Child and Family Service, MADD, Star of the Sea Church, Catholic Charities, and Camp Fire Girls.

Roberta spent many joyful hours at Waialae Country Club in the company of friends playing golf and tennis, planning events, and decorating the clubhouse. Her talent with flowers and decorations made a stunning show for the clubhouse during special events and holidays. Roberta loved Christmas and she made the holidays especially meaningful for her family by creating a Nativity pageant that touched the hearts of generations of children.

For many years, Roberta braved the Midwest winters to visit her grandchildren in Wisconsin, where her devotion to others made her many friends away from home. Her knowledge of Hawaiian flowers, hula, and Hawaiian music gave her grandchildren an important link to their native land.